Chapter 9: You’ve Deceived Me Once Again
The surroundings fell silent for a moment.
Fortunately, Song Ning wasn’t offended and maintained her composure. “I must have been mistaken. Your temper really hasn’t changed, Xixi.”
“Are you here for dinner too, Xixi? Why don’t you come sit with us in our private room later?”
Ignoring her invitation, Lin Xi warned, “We’re not close. Next time we meet, don’t call me by my name.”
“How can you say we’re not close? We’ll be family soon.” Staring at Lin Xi’s retreating figure, the hatred in Song Ning’s eyes flickered and was quickly hidden. “You probably don’t know yet. I came down to meet Qin Yu. Today, both families are here to discuss our engagement.”
“In the future, just call me ‘Third Sister-in-law.’ I’ll treat you as my real sister.”
By the elevators, Lin Xi blocked the closing doors with her foot and clicked her tongue softly.
“I’m rather curious about something.”
Song Ning asked, “About what?”
“You’ve always said you and he are deeply in love and will get engaged soon. It’s been seven years—why hasn’t it happened yet?”
Lin Xi’s tone was purely inquisitive, with no hint of emotion.
Song Ning’s expression changed slightly but she forced a smile. “We were both too busy with work before, but now isn’t too late.”
Lin Xi replied, “I thought that if a man truly loved someone, he wouldn’t make her wait so long.”
“…”
With that, Lin Xi stepped fully into the elevator. As she looked back at Song Ning, her right hand slipped from her pocket, holding a black card between her fingers, waving it lightly in the air.
“Five million. That’s my gift money, always ready and waiting for good news from you and Third Brother.”
“But until then, you’re not worthy of calling yourself my family.”
Such was the confidence of the Lin family’s eldest daughter.
Song Ning was left speechless.
Out of the corner of her eye, Song Ning noticed an employee’s lanyard and muttered under her breath, “Feiyun Technology… So it’s Qin Yu’s company.”
She didn’t notice that just as she spoke, Lin Xi in the elevator suddenly looked up.
—
Inside the private room, Lin Xi sat at the head of the table, messaging Cheng Si, wanting to know why Feiyun was connected to Qin Yu.
The others sat stiffly along the sides, scarcely daring to breathe.
After a while, Engineer Chen cleared his throat, trying to break the awkwardness.
“That host seemed fine on TV, but in person, she’s so sharp-tongued.”
“Yes, exactly.” The assistant quickly joined in, “I actually liked her looks before, but now I can’t stand her!”
“Seriously! She’s got that green tea attitude. I’ll unfollow her as soon as I get home!”
“Engineer Lin, was the Qin Yu she mentioned the one we know?”
Without looking up, Lin Xi replied, “The very same person you’re thinking of.”
“!!!”
“So President Qin is your brother!”
“There’s no blood relation.”
“Engineer Lin, could you satisfy our curiosity? You always say you don’t want to discuss private matters at work, but now…”
Engineer Chen hurriedly elbowed his assistant, shooting him a look to drop the subject.
Surprisingly, Lin Xi didn’t refuse this time. “What do you want to know?”
Everyone turned to her in unison.
“What does your family do, Engineer Lin? How did you meet President Qin?”
She answered while typing, “His grandfather and mine were comrades-in-arms. We grew up together in the same military compound, Cheng Si included. As for my family…”
She paused abruptly before continuing after a long moment. “My parents ran a small business. It’s nothing noteworthy.”
“Small business?” The others couldn’t help but twitch their lips.
Every day she wore designer clothes and accessories, never repeating an outfit in a week. She had a membership card here and could casually give five million as a gift—was that really just from a small business?
Someone forced a laugh, “Engineer Lin, you’re far too modest.”
In this, Lin Xi was indeed modest. The Lin family owned a large medical equipment company in the capital. After her parents passed away, they left her a substantial inheritance. Even if she never worked, she’d never have to worry about money for the rest of her life.
—
As exquisite dishes were brought in one after another, everyone exclaimed,
“Engineer Lin, you ordered so much! Isn’t this place expensive?”
“Yes, you’ve gone to such lengths. We’d have been fine with just hotpot.”
“It’s not much, just enjoy yourselves. The food here is good, and the facilities are complete, so we won’t need to go elsewhere later.”
“Engineer Lin, you’re too kind to us!”
Lin Xi replied, “If I make any mistakes at work in the future, I’ll have to trouble you all to be understanding.”
It wasn’t about currying favor, just that her aunt had advised her to get along well with colleagues at work—there’s never any harm in it. She’d never cared much about these things before and was used to doing as she pleased. Even after all these years, she still carried some of the habits her parents had indulged in her.
But her aunt had a point, and after all, it was just a meal—not at all troublesome for her.
As Qin Yu had once told her, “If money can solve it, it’s not a problem. Don’t waste your concern.”
When the knock sounded, everyone assumed it was another server bringing food.
The door opened to reveal a server, but this one carried nothing, and walked directly to Lin Xi.
“Miss Lin, President Qin is next door. He asked me to invite you over.”
The server’s voice was soft, bending to whisper in Lin Xi’s ear so only she could hear.
Without thinking, Lin Xi, preoccupied with her phone, replied offhandedly, “I’m busy.” Cheng Si still hadn’t replied to her message—he’d been typing just moments before, but now, twenty minutes later, there was nothing.
The server was unfazed. “President Qin said that if you don’t go out, he’ll come in here to talk. Should I invite President Qin in, Miss Lin?”
“…”
—
After the server led Lin Xi to the neighboring private room, he withdrew.
She’d expected to find Song Ning and the others inside, but only Qin Yu sat there.
Upon hearing her enter, the man stubbed out his cigarette, his eyes landing unerringly on her. Today, Lin Xi wore a light-colored business suit, clean and sharp, making her look more mature.
Qin Yu lifted his chin, motioning for her to sit. “Dinner with colleagues?”
“How did you know, Third Brother? Did Third Sister-in-law tell you?” Lin Xi pulled out a chair opposite him, crossing her legs and adjusting her sleeves.
Apparently surprised by her choice of words, Qin Yu paused for a moment, then quickly realized who she meant. His expression darkened. “Don’t call her that.”
Lin Xi was unfazed, her gaze teasing. “I never noticed how pure-hearted you were, Third Brother. The two of you are practically engaged—shouldn’t I, as your little sister, address her as ‘sister-in-law’?”
“There’s nothing between us. Who’s been feeding you nonsense?”
“It doesn’t matter. That’s not why I came.” She finished rolling up her sleeves and looked up, meeting his gaze with a coldness as if facing a stranger. “Is my joining Feiyun related to you?”
Without waiting for his answer, she recalled the past and curled her lips in a mocking smile. “Well, this makes it twice now.”
“Qin Yu, you’ve deceived me again.”